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Patented Sept. 29, 1896.

Wham Lego UNIT D STATES PATENT Fluent ROBERT F. FOSTER, OF BALTIMORE,MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO ANDREIV DOUGI-IERTY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

DUPLICATE-WHIST CARD-CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 568,437, datedSeptember 29, 1896. Application filed May 18, I894. Serial No. 511,668.(No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that LROBERT FREDERICK Fos- 'TER, a subject of the Queen ofGreat Britain, residing at Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Card-Cases, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention has for its object to maintain separate the different handsof cards for a game of whist, to pack them in the smallest possiblecompass, protect them from injury while packed, and yet permit each handto be readily removed simultaneously with the removal of the other handswhen required for use; and to this end my invention consists of acard-case having four rigid boxes connected to a rectangular panel, asfully set forth hereinafter, and as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating myimproved card-case open, ready for the removal of the cards. Fig. 2 is aside view illustrating the case closed. Fig. 3 is a section on the line3 3, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a section on the line at 4, Fig. 1.

A, B, O, and D represent four card-boxes, which may be of cardboard orother stiff and rigid material, so as to maintain their shape whetherthe cards are in or out of the boxes, and each of such dimensions as tohold a whist-hand of cards. These card-boxes consist each of a stiffboard or backing d and a pocket consisting of a parallel board 6 andsides f, connecting the board 6 to the back board d, leaving one sideopen for the introduction of the cards. Eachwof the back boards d isconnected to one edge of a central board or panel E by a hingedconnection of any suitable character. As shown, each hinged connectionconsists of a strip g, of leather or cardboard, connected at one edge bya strip of fabric 2' to the board d and at the other edge by a strip offabric j to the panel E, which is rectangular, and the strips g are ofdifferent widths, so that the box A can be first folded inward-and uponthe panel E, after which the box B can be folded onto the box A, and theboxes 0 and D turned in in succession, thereby forming a close case orpackage inclosing the four hands of cards ing exposed except the edgesof the cards. at one side in the boxes O and D and part of the edges atone side of the box B. In order to still further protect the cards andprevent them from wear and injury, I fasten the case 'by means of anysuitable fastening device,

as, for instance, by means of a tongue h, extending from the box D intoa pocket or beneath a strap 2, at the end of the box 0.

It is desirable that each player shall be able to seize his hand orcards so as to draw it from the case by a movementto the right, asthereby all of the cards can be drawn simultaneously from their boxeswhen the parties are opposite the four sides of the table, as usual. Itherefore so construct the boxes and so connect them with the centralpanel E that the mouth of each box is open at the side adjacent to therear or closed end of the next adjacent box, as is best illustrated inFig. 1. 1 j

It is desirable in some instances to number the cases, as, for instance,when the same are employed for duplicate whist. As such numbers shouldbe concealed I number each panel upon its upper face and cover saidnumber with a movable cover, flap, or slide. As shown, there is a stiffcard-flap q pasted to the panel at one edge and capable of being raisedat the other, and the number is placed upon the upper face of the panelE, beneath the flap or upon the under side of the flap.

' By fastening the case in a closed position and by making the differentboxes of rigid material I prevent the bending, wear, and abrasion of thecards which would occur if they were exposed upon a tray, as in someconstructions, or if inclosed in pockets of flexible material, as inother constructions.

I am enabled to pack the four hands of cards closely together within thesmallest possible space, thereby avoiding the waste of room andcumbersome package resulting from connecting the cards to the faces oftrays, and the injury to the cards which results from packing together'aseries of trays with the cards upon the faces is avoided.

WVhile I secure a package of small dimen sions I also thoroughly protectthe cards by and completely protecting them, no part besupporting themin boxes of such a rigid character that pressure upon the cards ispractically prevented.

\Vithout limiting myself to the use of any special material or theprecise construction and arrangement shown, I claim as my invention- 1.The combination in a card-case, of a series of boxes each having a rigidback, a rectangular panel, the open end of each box being opposed to theclosed end of the next box and hinged connections ofsuccessive1y-increasing lengths between the edges of the panel and theedges of the backs of the different boxes for the purpose specified.

2. The combination in a card-case of a rectangular panel of a series ofboxes having ROBERT F. FOQTER. lVit-nesses:

EVERETT ELLIs, HENRY J. GRoss.

